August 1, 2008

One of the big news this week is the pending pthalates ban on kids' products. Both Senate and Congress already approved the bill that contains the ban and is just waiting for President Bush's signature. This is a major blow for the chemical industry and a big win for public advocates.

Another is the record-breaking $11.7bn quarter earnings pumped by the US oil mogul ExxonMobil. Investors might be unimpressed with the company's $1,485 per second profit but gas consumers will surely be irate with this news and will be more supportive of alternative energy investments.

As for the rest of this week's green news roundup...

Launderer likes NPE-freeCintas Corp. has become the first industrial launderer to ban the use of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) - based detergent in its facilities nationwide. The company will start using NPE-free detergents manufactured by Washing Systems.